Velocipede



(No Modem 2 sheets-Sheen 1.

G. H. DAVIS.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 410,751'. Patented Sept. l0, 1889.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

G. H. DAV \S.

VBLOGIPBDB. v No. 410,751.. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

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E' www MTW n UNITED t STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. DAV-IS, OF VVOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

VELOQIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent NO. 410,751, dated September 10, 1889. Application filed July 2, 1888. Serial No. 278,810. (No model.)

T0 all whom 1115 may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVorcester, in the county of l/Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The objects of my invention are, irst, to provide a velocipede having its seat and pedalshaft maintained in the same relation to each other, while affording a yielding action when moving on uneven ground orpavements, wherein the spring which connects said seatsupporting frame to the main frame is arranged in a manner to sustain said seat-supporting frame in position laterally,while yielding up and down; second, to providea velocipede wherein the guiding-handles, seat, and pedal mechanism have a general yielding action independent of the main frame, with means, such as described, for adjusting the height or position of the handles in relation to the seat, and for affording connection with the guiding-fork, as hereinafter explained; third, to provide in a Velocipede having an auxiliary yielding frame for supporting the seat and pedal mechanism, and facilities for changing the relative speed and power between the pedals and driving-wheel, means, substantially as described, for sustaining the yielding frame and pedal mechanism in lateral position, and a clutch-shifting device mounted in connection with the yielding'seatsupporting frame and under convenient control of the operator from his position on the seat.

Other minor objects and features of my invention will be understood from the following description.

The particular subject-matter claimed is hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating my invention as applied to a bicycle. Fig. 2 i's a plan view showing my improved mechanism for connecting the pedals and driving-wheel. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the pedal-shaft, showing the lower end of the rod for shifting the clutches. Fig. ais a side View illustrating my invention, with the guiding-handles mounted in connection with the seat-supporting frame. Fig. 5 is a top view of the machine shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front view of the seat-supporting frame, pedal-shaft, and guidinghandles.

In referring to parts, A indicates the main frame or backbone, forked at its rear part to carry the journal-bearings of the drivingwheel axle D, and having its front end pivoted in suitable or well-known manner to the frame or guiding fork B, that carries the bearings of the steering-wheel G.

O indicates an auxiliary'movable frame or standard disposed in substantially upright position and forked at its lower end to carry the bearings of the pedal-shaft E, which is arranged in transverse horizontal position between its lower ends, while on its upper end the seat S is supported, preferably, by a telescoping extension-standard S', that can be retained at any adjusted position by the clamping devices or binder c. The auxiliary frame O is independent from the main frame A, but is connected therewith by a spring F, attached to the back of the main frame A by clamping-bands f, that embrace the frame and spring, as shown, or in other suitable manner. The rear end of the main leaf of the spring F is attached to the frame C, as at f', in such manner that said movable frame and parts connected therewith will be suspended andfsupported by the spring, while the lower part of said frame O is confined by suitable guides in connection with an arm A that depends from the main frame A, said guide in the present instance being an interengaging slot and lug, as illustrated at h. 9o

The pedal-shaft E is provided at its respective ends with cranks E and foot-pedals c, substantially such as are usually employed in velocipedes. The bearings for the pedalshaft are sustained parallel with and at proper distance from the bearings of the driving-wheel axle kby brace-rods H, that extend from one bearing to the other, as indicated, and which permit the pedal-shaft to rise and fall with the movement of the seat- IOO supporting frame without changing the relative radial dist-ance between the axes of the respective bearin gs. .lhe pedals c, pedal-shaft E, and operating-gearing are, by the frame C, maintained in constant relation or at given distance from the seat S, so that they will simultaneously risc and fall with the movement of the seat, following the tlexure of the spring F.

The spring F is preferably made, as illustrated, with its main or upper leaf attached to the frame C, and with a lower leaf F2, which is disposed as a brace for supporting said upper leaf, as shown. An adjustable stud or threaded bearing e is arranged on one of the connected bands f, which serves as a support for the under leaf of the spring, and by means of which the tension of the spring can bc increased or diminished by simply screwing said stud or bearing up or down, as required. The spring F is made broad and flat, and of sufficient width to sustain the movable seatsupporting frame C against lateral displacement. The clamping-band f confines the spring rigidly upon the main frame A.

The pedal-shaft E is best provided with two sprocket-wheels I and J, of varied diameter, each of which is mounted loose on said shaft and each provided with one half of the clutches I and J, while a longitudinallymovable sleeve K, which carries the other half of the clutches I and J is arranged upon the pedal-shaftbetween the two sprocket-wheels, which sleeve is splined or keyed to rotate with the shaft, and either of the sprockets I or J can be thrown into and out of action by moving the sleeve to the right or left into engagement with eitherof the respective clutches.

The axle of the driving-wheel D is provided with two sprocket-wheels (I and cl', of different sizes, which are respectively connected by suitable drive-chains L with the sprocket-wheels on the pedal-shaft, the smaller sprocket-wheel d on the driving-wheel axis being connected with the larger sprocketwheel on the pedal-shaft, and the larger sprocket-wheel on the driving-wheel axis being connected with the smaller sprocketwheel on the pedal-shaft, thus affording facilities for variation of the power and speed transmitted to the driving-wheel by a given movement of the pedals, accordingly as the clutch I' or the clutch J is thrown into engagement for operating the larger or smaller sprocket-wheel.

The shipper-rod m, for moving the sleeve K, is supported in bearings on the movable frame C. The lower end of Isaid rod is offset or cranked and is litted to a groove or collar on the clutch-sleeve K, while its upper end is provided with a lever or handle m', by means of which said rod can be conveniently oscillated. A suitable stop is provided at m2 for retaining the rod at position of adjustment, wit-h the clutch thrown either to the right or to the left or at an intermediate position at which the clutches are uncoupled.

The brace-rods II, or one of them, can be provided with a right and left threaded sleeve or coupling, as at Il', for effecting adjustment to bring the axis of the pedal-shaft and the driving wheel parallel with each other; or, if preferred, said brace-rods may be made solid or without such adjusting'- coupling.

The main frame A is preferably trussed and strengthened by rods (t and a', which extend from near the respective ends of said main frame to the lower part of the dependent arm or guide-bar A. Said rods a. and a serve both for tru ssin g and strengthening the frame, and also for maintaining the guide which confines the lower end of the movable frame C in proper position.

The handle-bar M, for moving the guidingwheel fork I3, maybe attached directly to the top of said fork in the usual manner, as shown in Figi. I prefer, however, the improved construction shown in Figs. el, 5, and U, wherein the handle-bar M is supported on the mov able auxiliary frame C, which carries the seat S, so that said handle-bar will rise and fall simultaneously with the movement of the seat and pedal mechanism in accord with the ilexure of the spring F. In this construction the frame (l is provided with the forward extension C', having at its front end a bearingsocket C2, within which is supported and clamped by a suitable set-screw c an adjustable sleeve N, disposed in substantially upright position. lVithin this sleeve is a Arotating shaft or stud N', on the upper end of which the handle-bar M is fixed. The lower end of said shaft carries a cross-head N3, from which rods n. connect with a cross-head N2, xed on the upper end of the guiding-wheel fork B.

The upper end of the fork B, or foot of shaft N', is preferably provided with a eompensatf ing joint, as at l), to give yielding action as the yielding scat-frame G and guiding-handles rise and fall.

A strong spring T is provided for supporting the head of the fork above the compensating joint, and holding that part of the fork or standard at forward position, while allowing it to yield to the motion of the movable frame C. The spring T preferably consists of a flat metal spring fixed at its lower end to the body of the fork, and having its upper end extending through an eye connected to the upper end or head of the fork-standard, as indicated.

The advantages of my improved construction are, that while the scat is maintained at uniform and constant distance from the pedalshaft the auxiliary frame is supported and sustained from lateral displacement by the spring without other connection save the guide 71., thus making a light and simple construction which gives ample upward and down- IOO IOS

IIO

ward spring or yielding action for the comfort of the rider upon the seat, while it avoids the necessity of hinged side bracings that would interfere with the freedom of action and add undesirable weight to the machine.

rlhe arrangement of the handle-supporting devices, as shown, affords ready adjustment in a simple and desirable manner, herein shown and described, and can be applied to other styles of velocipedes than bicycles such as herein illustrated-as, for instance, to tricycles or machines having pairs of rear wheels, as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 5, or in which the mechanism can be arranged to operate in equivalent manner to that set forth.

Whatlclaim as of my invention, and desire t-o secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a velocipede, the combination, with the main frame, of an auxiliary yielding frame carrying the seat and pedal-shaft, supported upon and connected with said main frame only by a spring that sustains the parts in position laterally while supporting the weight of said auxiliary frame, together with the pedal mechanism and rider upon the seat,

and a guide or guides) that retains the lower part of said auxiliary frame in` proper relation, while it is free to rise andfall with the flexure of said spring.

2. In a velocipede, the seat, pedal-shaft, and chain driving-gearing mounted upon a movable auxiliary frame that maintains them at constant distance apart in relation to each otherin combination with the main frame, the attachment of said auxiliary frame to the main frame being formed by a spring, las F, that sustains the parts in lateral relation, while affording upward and downward yielding action, and braces that sustain the pedalshaft at constant working position from the driving-wheel axis.

3. The combination, with the main frame A, of the auxiliary frame C, the flat curved spring F, connected by a hinge to the auxiliary frame and fixed on said main frame in the manner described to give vertical yielding support, while sustaining the parts laterally, the pedal-shaft E, carrying the cranks,

and drive-chain 'gears supported in bearings fixed on the lower bifurcated end of said auxiliary frame, the seat S, having an extension-standard S', adjustable in the upper part of saidY auxiliary frame, and a clamp for retaining the said standard at position of adjustment, all substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the yielding auxiliary frame C, guiding-wheel fork B, and the handle-shaft N', supported in a bearing on said auxiliary frame, of the guiding-handles M, fixed to the upper end of said shaft, the cross-head N3 on the lower end of said shaft, the cross-head N're on the guide-wheel fork, and thelink-rods n n, connecting the respective arms of said cross-heads, as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, with the yielding frame C, having the forwardly-extended arm C', provided with a clamping-socket C2 thereon, of the shaftsupporting sleeve N, extending through and longitudinally adjustable in said socket, the guiding-handles mounted on an upright shaft that extends'through said sleeve and provided at its lower end with the cross-head N3, and abinder for clamping said sleeve at position of adjustment, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

6. The guide-wheel fork B, provided with an operating-head N2, in combination with guiding handles mounted on the yielding auxiliary frame, links that connect the parts for operation, and a compensating joint b, for the purpose set forth.

7. The compensating joint b and the jointsupporting spring T, in combination with the top or cross head N2 of the guide wheel fork and the guiding-connections, for the purpose set forth.

8. The combina-tion of the driving-wheel D, mounted in bearings lon the main frame A, the yielding auxiliary frame C, carrying the pedal-shaft E, the curved fiat spring F, connecting said auxiliary frame with the main frame, the braces l-I, connecting the pedalshaft and drive-shaft bearings, differential sprocket-wheels and drive-chains for transmitting power and motion from the pedalshaft to the driving-wheel axis, clutches for connecting and releasing the pedalshaft sprockets, the sliding clutch-sleeve K, the shipper-rod fm, supported in bearings on said auxiliary frame and having a handle m', and a catch m2, having detents for retaining said shipper-rod at positions of adjustment, all substantially as shown and described.

9. The main frame having the dependent arm A', in combination with the truss-rods a and a', extending from the front and rear ends of said frame and connected with the lower part of said arm.

10. The main frame having the dependent arm A', in combination with the auxiliary frame C, its guide h, and yielding supportingspring F, substantially as set forth, and trussrods a and a', extending from the front and rear ends of said frame and connected with the lower part of said arm.

ll. The spring F, having its main leaf connected to the auxiliary movable frame C, and a second leaf disposed as a brace beneath its main leaf, in combination with the main frame A and auxiliary frame C, substantially as set forth.

l2. The spring F,supported upon the. main frame A, and having its main leaf connected to the auxiliary movable frame C, and a second leaf F2, disposed as a brace beneath said main leaf, in combination with an adjusting-support o, for increasing or reducing the tension of said spring, substantially as set forth.

IOO

13. In combination, substantially as defitness my hand this 28th day of June, scribed, the frame A, guiding-fork B, Wheels A. D. 18538. D und G, yielding' frame C, seat S, handlebm'M,withiexib1e connections for opernt- GEORGE II. DAVIS. 5 ing Said guiding-f01'k,the pedal-shaft' E, with cranks and chain gearing' for operating said Witnesses: driving-wheel D, the braces H, spring F, :1nd CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, `guide A lz, for the purposes set forth. ELLA P. BLENUS. 

